SOCIAL STUDY COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM.
[To TIRE RIHTOIL OF THE 'HPBCTATOR."] SIR,—So much attention has recently been drawn by the Poor Law Commissioners and others to the need for a high standard in social and philanthropic work that it may interest your readers to hear of the social study course that was inaugurated last session by the University of Birmingham, and which will re- commence at the beginning of October. This course has been arranged both for the volunteer who intends to work in either a public or private capacity, and for the salaried worker, for whose services there is a steady and increasing, if not a highly remunerative, demand.
The course lasts for one session, and includes lectures on the British Constitution, English local government and industrial history, economic analysis and method of statistics, industrial law, sanitation, and hygiene.
There are also lectures on contemporary Poor Law educational and industrial administration, and visits are kindly permitted to the various institutions and schools of the city and to representa- tive factories. In addition, every student must enrol himself or herself under some recognised society, and do regular practical work throughout the session. The Women's Settlement is one of these institutions, and works in connexion with the various societies of the town; students resident there can obtain an insight into methods of relief work, recreative work, the fight against infant mortality, the work of an industrial registry, &c., &c. The University fee for the session is £6, the Settlement charge to students is £1 a week for board and lodging, so an outlay of £50 ought to cover the whole cost of training.
Further particulars may be obtained from the University or from the Settlement, and it is hoped that an increasing number may take advantage of the opportunities thus offered, and so fortify themselves for the work of reform by a knowledge of the experience of the past and the needs of the present.—I am, Sir, &c., M. Ctcstic MaTrIssorr. Birmingham Women's Settlement.
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